Chicago teacher nabbed in prostitution sting

December 10, 2009

A Chicago Public Schools teacher was arrested this week in a prostitution sting, the Cook County sheriff's office said today.

Scott Carlson, 41, a computer teacher at Lane Tech High School, was charged with keeping a place of prostitution and Jessica Shea, 21, his alleged accomplice, was charged with prostitution, according to a statement by Sheriff Tom Dart's office.

According to sheriff's police, an undercover officer responded to an online ad posted by Shea in the escort section. She and the officer agreed to meet at a motel near Midway Airport Tuesday night.

Once in a room there, Shea offered to have sex with the officer for money and was arrested, police said. Carlson allegedly was waiting in the parking lot and was also arrested.

Police said a motel receipt showed that the room was registered to and paid for by Carlson.

The charges against Carlson and Shea are misdemeanors. Both paid bond and have been released, police said.

Monique bond, a CPS spokeswoman, said in an e-mail that Carlson was removed pending the police investigation and administrative hearing process. "The matter is also being referred to the Inspector General's office for further investigation," she said.

Carlson has been reassigned to an area office in which he does not have contact with students, said Malon Edwards, a CPS spokesman.